radiator question

[NexusD]

Hello all,
I'm typically on the 80's side and this is my first time posting on the 100 side. Let's get down to it, I picked up a 2000 100 with 120K miles on it for the wife as DD, we've had it for about 4 months.

Everything has been great so far little things here and there but nothing major until now.
I noticed antifreeze stains all over the motor which looked a bad radiator cap. No biggie got a new cap, steamed cleaned the motor, drove it home. Once home I popped the hood to find antifreeze bubbling out of a small crack in the radiator.

Question:
This happened to me in my 1997 fzj80 and I replaced the OEM radiator with a beefer 1993 fj80 aluminum OEM radiator.

Is there "beefer" radiator for the 100?

Should I stick with OEM?

I searched the forum but didn't find any tips on this topic.

Thank you

 

[super90]

No beefier oem option. Maybe there is an aftermarket aluminum version but I am unaware as to who might make one.

 

[steelynorm]

Like to know if u find a good aftermarket option?

 

[ranma21]

Denso makes one for 100 series, or you can try the Koyo one. OE Toyota is still the best considered your radiator last 14 yrs!! Mine still work great counting on 17 yrs!! Can't beat that!!

 

[stonepa]

Denso makes one for 100 series, or you can try the Koyo one. OE Toyota is still the best considered your radiator last 14 yrs!! Mine still work great counting on 17 yrs!! Can't beat that!!

Amen. I got a 16 years and 331k out of mine with no leaks or blockage. I sold my 100 but I would assume it is still good to go.

 

[skhochay]

Hello all,
I'm typically on the 80's side and this is my first time posting on the 100 side. Let's get down to it, I picked up a 2000 100 with 120K miles on it for the wife as DD, we've had it for about 4 months.

Everything has been great so far little things here and there but nothing major until now.
I noticed antifreeze stains all over the motor which looked a bad radiator cap. No biggie got a new cap, steamed cleaned the motor, drove it home. Once home I popped the hood to find antifreeze bubbling out of a small crack in the radiator.

Question:
This happened to me in my 1997 fzj80 and I replaced the OEM radiator with a beefer 1993 fj80 aluminum OEM radiator.

Is there "beefer" radiator for the 100?

Should I stick with OEM?

I searched the forum but didn't find any tips on this topic.

Thank you
View attachment 1022815

the nature of LC80 is not enough cooling power, so I went for an upgrade and got 3 row copper, metal tank new radiator and it doing well, I have not seen one for LC100 let us know if you find one.
but LC100 have efficient cooling system, so my opinion OEM or similar replacement will do just well

 

[Supra88]

The OEM radiator is so reasonably priced it doesn't make sense to go aftermarket. Call Onur and get one. I just replaced mine.

 

[NexusD]

I pulled the trigger on Specter Off-Road's Uzj100 Aftermarket Metal Radiator 054-006P-A. I agree OEM is a good option to go with but I couldn't see spending over $500 on a plastic radiator. I'll everyone know how it works out. I'll keep you guys posted when I receive it.

 

[r2m]

My wife and I both have 1998 LC's and we have never had to replace either of our radiators.
She has 265k and I have 217k miles. Just go with OEM.

 

[Supra88]

I pulled the trigger on Specter Off-Road's Uzj100 Aftermarket Metal Radiator 054-006P-A. I agree OEM is a good option to go with but I couldn't see spending over $500 on a plastic radiator. I'll everyone know how it works out. I'll keep you guys posted when I receive it.

I didn't pay anywhere near $500 for an OEM radiator. Call Onur.

 

[NexusD]

You're right OEM is about the same price of aftermarket but with shipping its a bit more. I'm still going aftermarket metal.

 

[stonepa]

You're right OEM is about the same price of aftermarket but with shipping its a bit more. I'm still going aftermarket metal.

They are all metal. Plastic does an amazingly poor job of heat transfer. To each his own.

 

[NexusD]

They are all metal. Plastic does an amazingly poor job of heat transfer. To each his own.

You're 1/2 correct, OEM are plastic tanks (upper and Lower)with metal inserts, the aftermarket one that I bought is full metal.

From what I understand FZJ80's to current Toyota went to plastic tanks.

 

[stonepa]

You're 1/2 correct, OEM are plastic tanks (upper and Lower)with metal inserts, the aftermarket one that I bought is full metal.

From what I understand FZJ80's to current Toyota went to plastic tanks.

I guess I would have to agree with that. The hoses are rubber too.

OEM radiator seems to last forever but hey, it's your truck so go wild.

 

[NexusD]

Hello everyone, Just wanted to give an up date on my radiator install this past weekend. After talking with SOR, and doing my own research no one makes a metal radiator for the 100's unless you go full custom. I ended up buying a CSF Radiator (model 3006) OEM knock off.
Heres the link:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/csf-radiator-new-oe-replacement/p3038254.jcwx?filterid=d2177y2000g2j1

I bought it off SOR, I paid a little bit more but I had it in my hands the next day plus I was buying/supporting a local vendor.

The Radiator was super easy to install, only took a few hours. My 80 took my almost a full day. all in all I'm very pleased on the build of the CSF radiator. After pulling the old stock radiator and inspecting it. I found mud/greasy build up on the lower 1/2 of the radiator. I feel that this was the causing factor of why my stock radiator failed. Sorry i wish i had photos to share.

 

[wesquire]

Just discovered that my 2000 LC with 187k on it has a small leak in the radiator. Local shop tells me that an aftermarket from 1-800-radiator with a lifetime warranty will run $250 (I saw $199 on line so I'll have to ask about that) while their price on an OEM will be $415 . I have a call into Onur as I know he can beat that. Is the consensus to stay with OEM? I assume either way the Toyota red coolant should be used.

 

[TXLX100]

I would stick with OEM. Cooling and oil are about the only things that can wipe out a 4.7. I saw a brand new one on Dallas craigslist for $75 the other day.

 

[NexusD]

Just discovered that my 2000 LC with 187k on it has a small leak in the radiator. Local shop tells me that an aftermarket from 1-800-radiator with a lifetime warranty will run $250 (I saw $199 on line so I'll have to ask about that) while their price on an OEM will be $415 . I have a call into Onur as I know he can beat that. Is the consensus to stay with OEM? I assume either way the Toyota red coolant should be used.

First off YES use Toyota red coolant no matter what Radiator you go with. Keep in mind the Red coolant isn't cheap. I ended up buying a CSF Radiator (model 3006) OEM knock off. JCWhitney sells them online. I didn't go with OEM just because I would have to wait for the parts and I had the CSF in my hands at SOR when I needed it.

Install was super easy, It only took me a few hours to install. I would say do it your self save your $$.

 

[wesquire]

Thanks NexusD. Not knowing who really makes the aftermarket I have a quote for or whether they'll be around if and when a warranty claims comes into play, I decided to go OEM. Local dealer is letting me have for the price they charge body shops and I'll have it in hand tomorrow. Wish I had the time to do it myself - but have a full time job that pays the bills and two little ones with activities to shuttle around. I figure the OEM was good for 15+ years so it's worth an extra $100 for the peace of mind and avoiding the hassle of warranty claims I've read about in other threads.

I've made sure my mechanic has the red Toyota coolant - was a little upset to see there has been the green stuff in there. I'm guessing since the changed the water pump and timing belt 2 years ago.

 

[NexusD]

Thanks NexusD. Not knowing who really makes the aftermarket I have a quote for or whether they'll be around if and when a warranty claims comes into play, I decided to go OEM. Local dealer is letting me have for the price they charge body shops and I'll have it in hand tomorrow. Wish I had the time to do it myself - but have a full time job that pays the bills and two little ones with activities to shuttle around. I figure the OEM was good for 15+ years so it's worth an extra $100 for the peace of mind and avoiding the hassle of warranty claims I've read about in other threads.

I've made sure my mechanic has the red Toyota coolant - was a little upset to see there has been the green stuff in there. I'm guessing since the changed the water pump and timing belt 2 years ago.

I totally get it, if you don't have the time. as far as the red Toyota coolant goes, if you're currently running green I wouldn't switch unless you do a full system flush and change out the thermostat.

If you mix the two or don't completely flush the system you'll get gummy fluid with in your cooling system.

My view is if you're starting fresh with new Rad, I would flush the green stuff out put a new thermostat in, you may even change out the hoses and refill with toyota red coolant.

When I mean flush I mean the whole motor block not just the rad.

Hope that helps